Theme Of Fate In King Lear

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In the speech made by Edmund in King Lear, he makes it clear that his actions are by choice and not guided by fate. Through an analysis of the diction used in the excerpt, Edmund 's words further support his obsession with property and ownership. This obsession is seen in his manipulation of Gloucester and Edgar because he "must have [Edgar 's] land." Edmunds actions are also seen as a foil of Edgar 's and alludes to their rivalry and his ultimate demise. His soliloquy starts with Edmund first including himself in the group of people who blame their misfortune on fate. He includes himself with the use of first person plural pronouns in the phrases "when we are sick in fortune, often the surfeits of our own behavior" and "we make guilty of …show more content…

The excerpt is also presented before Edgar denounces the belief in the line "Do you busy yourself with [eclipse predictions]?" (Shakespeare 31). Edgar 's word choice and questioning tone implies he thinks these predictions are not worth busying oneself with. Deduction from location of this excerpt between these opinions proves Edmund believes he is more superior than Gloucester. His manipulative actions against Gloucester supports this. Edgar 's denouncing of fate creates another dimension of rivalry between the brothers; if Edmund 's beliefs are followed, Edgar is also superior to everyone else. While Edmund 's evil actions are his own choice; Edgar 's admirable actions are also his choice. This juxtaposition also foreshadows their battle in the end of the …show more content…

Though they both are self-aware that fate does not control their actions, they handle misfortune differently. When Edmund encounters misfortune he is prone to protest. In the lines "how malicious is my fortune, that I must repent to be just?", Edmund cries a rhetorical question (Shakespeare 117). His choice to use a rhetorical question shows his awareness of his misfortune. His lack of action to fix it however, shows he is content with the actions he makes. Edmund later does the same thing when he notices Edgar with better luck. He asks, "But what art thou/That hast this fortune on me?" to Edgar (Shakespeare 185). Again he uses a rhetorical question to comment on his lack of fortune. When he is "sick in fortune", he does nothing but retort about it. Edgar on the other hand, when he abandons everything to run from the law, he comments "the lowest and most dejected thing of fortune/Stands still in esperance, [...] the worst returns to laughter" (Shakespeare 129). His words prove he has an optimistic view on misfortune and believes he can still change it. Yet again they differ in attitudes towards

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